Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Psychologist, Counselor and Psychotherapist in New York

Treatment and therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) provided by psychologist, counselor and psychotherapist, Robert M. Fraum, Ph.D. His solutions-oriented approach to treating the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder draws upon cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy methods. Dr. Fraum's offices for OCD treatment and counseling are located in Greenwich, CT, New York City and White Plains, NY.

Psychology and Counseling for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

This web page is designed to provide information about the symptoms, psychology, and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It also describes my solutions-oriented treatment approach to OCD as a licensed clinical psychologist, counselor and psychotherapist.

I provide OCD counseling in Greenwich, CT, New York City (midtown Manhattan) and Westchester county (White Plains, NY). My practice locations are convenient to Stamford and Greenwich in Fairfield County, CT, and appointment dates are flexible between the two locations for your convenience.

Symptoms and Psychology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an Anxiety Disorder characterized by repetitive, unwanted thoughts and behaviors.

Obsessions and compulsions can take many forms. Individuals who are obsessed with germs may clean their hands many times a day. Others who are obsessed with order may compulsively go about rearranging office items, home furniture or their itinerary. Obsessive concern over body image or appearance can result compulsive dieting, exercising, clothes shopping, anorexia, or bulimia.

People with OCD tend to exhaust themselves through worry, doubt, guilt, regret, insomnia, and lack of self-care. Chronic upset and exhaustion can lead to Dysthymic Disorder (Reactive Depression), medical or drug problems.

Over time, OCD sufferers may become more self-involved, perfectionist, controlling, rigid, indecisive, or risk-adverse. The symptoms of OCD can baffle, upset and deplete loved ones, as well as damage relationships and ruin productivity at work.

People suffering from OCD often feel too confused and emotionally powerless to understand their symptoms or help themselves.

From the perspective of cognitive and behavioral psychology, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder consists of maladaptive habits of thought and action. Symptoms develop because they provide distraction or brief relief from anxiety.

Case Example:A person who harbors disturbing questions about his intellectual abilities becomes extremely anxious about the quality of his written work. He deals with deadlines by ruminating about a project report and procrastinating about getting it done.

These avoidance behaviors, upsetting as they may be, help him to sidestep the greater anxiety involved in confronting his fears, completing his work, and exposing it to possible criticism.

Psychodynamic and interpersonal psychology can also help us understand issues that often drive OCD.

Case Example: A man suffering from obsessive jealousy is tortured by unwarranted, painful thoughts and images of betrayal by his partner. He fears she will leave him. He compulsive monitors and angrily questions her.

The fundamental issues that drive these symptoms include fear of rejection or abandonment, as well as interpersonal issues regarding intimacy, sex, control, power or other problems in their relationship.

OCD Treatment

People with OCD need interventions that target the immediate symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as well as address the fundamental psychological issues of OCD. Medication treatment for OCD is sometimes helpful but it is rarely enough.

There are a variety of psychology-based OCD treatment methods which a psychologist, counselor, or psychotherapist can use. My approach focuses upon achieving practical results by choosing the best OCD treatment methods for my particular client as they are needed. These include behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy methods for the treatment of OCD.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for OCD

Relaxation techniques are taught to help fight anxiety and tension. These include deep breathing exercises, guided imagery and systematic relaxation training. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy harnesses the power of rational thought processes to identify maladaptive automatic thoughts that create anxiety, obsessions, and drive compulsive behavior. CBT helps by changing the inflammatory self-talk and the faulty assumptions, misperceptions and attitudes which support OCD.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for OCD

We may need to go beyond a behavioral focus and deal with fundamental psychodynamics of OCD. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is used to address the emotional conflicts, anxiety and other internal stressors which often fuel the symptoms of OCD.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for OCD

Interpersonal Psychotherapy helps to deal with relationship issues which cause anxiety and may get in the way of recovery. These include shame, dependency, intimacy, power, relationship, and communication problems.

Find Help and Get Therapy for OCD in New York City and Westchester County

You are welcome to contact me if you would like to discuss symptoms and treatment options for obsessive compulsive disorder, or my qualifications as a licensed clinical psychologist, counselor and psychotherapist. I have used psychotherapy and counseling to help many clients work through OCD symptoms using a solutions oriented treatment approach. My offices are conveniently located in New York City (midtown Manhattan) and Westchester, NY (White Plains), accessible to Greenwich, CT and Rockland county.